Online Field Course
One week field course in the Makarora Valley, South Island, New Zealand
The New Zealand field ecology and data analysis course will be based in the Makarora Valley, an area comprising a suite of unique habitats giving rise to significant indigenous biodiversity value.
The iconic braided river is an important breeding habitat for wrybill (the only bird in the world with a bill that bends to the right), black-fronted tern, black-billed gull (rarest gull in the world), and many more. The kaka and long-tailed bat utilise the botanically rich beech/podocarp forest while the pristine upper river catchments provide habitat for whio (blue duck). The alpine habitat of the Southern Alps Kā Tiritiri o te Moana is also core territory for rock wren and kea (the only alpine parrot).
The course itself will be led in conjunction with the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust and their “Threatened Species Project From Ridge to River” – to find out more, please visit https://aspiringbiodiversity.co.nz/. This project is partly located within the Tititea Mt Aspiring National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Area.
During the course, students will be camping in individual tents to ensure that the group is socially distanced.
If you would like to find out more, we are holding webinars at the following dates and times:
Tuesday 4th April at 7pm NZST
Thursday 15th April at 7pm NZST
Tuesday 20th April at 7pm NZ